Sample supply means for automatic analysis apparatus



May 24, 1966 R. H. HEIMANN SAMPLE SUPPLY MEANS FOR AUTOMATIC ANALYSIS APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 27, 1963 FIGJ INVENTOR RICHARD H HEIMANN ATTORNEY May 24, 1966 R. H. HEIMANN SAMPLE SUPPLY MEANS FOR AUTOMATIC ANALYSIS APPARATUS 2 SheetsSheet 2 Filed NOV. 2'7, 1963 INVENTOR. RICHARD H. HEIMANN BY M ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,252,329 SAMPLE SUPPLY MEANS FOR AUTOMATIC ANALYSIS APPARATUS Richard H. Heimann, Flushing, N .Y., assignor to Technicon Instruments Corporation, Chauncey, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 27, 1963, Ser. No. 326,549 14 Claims. (Cl. 73423) This invention relates to method and apparatus for the automatic feeding of materials and, in particular, to method and apparatus adapted for use in conjunction with automatic fluid sample supply apparatus of the nature disclosed in US. Patent No. 3,038,340 of Jack Isreeli, for the modification of such apparatus to include thesuppl-y of a measured quantity of different material, as for example a wash liquid or reagent, intermediate the supply of each fluid sample thereby, for reasons made clear in U.S. Patent No. 3,081,158 of G. D. Winter.

An object of the invention is the provision of method and apparatus adapted for use as above in the modification of automatic fluid sample supply apparatus of the nature disclosed in said US. Patent No. 3,038,340, in a convenient and uncomplicated manner requiring substantially minimum alteration in the said sample supply apparatus.

Another object of the invention is the provision of apparatus as above of durable, relatively simple design and construction requiring the use of only readily available components of proven dependability to provide efficien operational results.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention are believed made clear by the following detailed description thereof taken in conjuction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, with portions cut away for purposes ofillustration, of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view, with portions cut away for purposes of illustration, taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a verticalsectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the control assembly of the invention taken in the direction of line 5 in FIG.

4; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the control circuit of the invention.

Referring now to FIGS. l-4, automatic, fluid sample supply apparatus of the nature disclosed in said US. Patent No. 3,038,340 is generally indicated at 12 and comprises a base member 14 upon which is rotatably mounted an indexible support plate 16. A plurality of cup-shaped, sample fluid receptacles 18 are supported on the said plate in a circular row within apertures provided therefor adjacent the periphery thereof, and a sample intake crook 20, which normally includes a polyethylene inlet tube supported therewithin, pivotally mounted on the said base member adjacent the periphery of the plate by support post 22 which is in turn mounted for pivotal movement at 21 on a base member mounted post 23.

A non-rotatable cover plate 24 is positioned over the plate in a manner described in detail in the said US. Patent No. 3,038,340, and comprises two apertures 36 formed as shown for present purposes in the periphery thereof adjacent the sample intake crook 20. The said cover plate is maintained against movement thereof relative to the said intake member by the cooperation between groove 28 formedin a lateral extension 30 thereof, and a fixed detent pin 32 which projects upwardly from the said base member 14, and functions to prevent contamination of the fluid samples within receptacles '18 as by dust or other atmospheric impurities.

Briefly described, the said sample supply apparatus would normally function through intermittent, stepwise rotation of the plate 16 to present each receptacle 18 in succession beneath the cover plate apertures 36, and effect synchronized, intermittent pivotal movement of support post 22 to move the inlet tube normally supported within intake crook 20, into and out of the respective receptacles as the same are in turn indexed into position under one of the said apertures for removal of the fluid samples therefrom and supply to operatively associated, automatic sample analysis apparatus. Thus it may be understood whereby the said fluid sample supply apparatus will function to provide a stream of a series of fluid samples, spaced from each other only by a segment of'tube-cleansing air withdrawn from the surrounding atmosphere by the inlet tube during the time the said collar 44 is fixedly positioned as shown (FIG. 1) within 1 the said mounting plate, and includes a bore formed therein of a shape complementary to the shape of detent pin 32, and a set screw 48 threadably mounted within said collar and projectable into said bore. In attaching the apparatus of the invention to the said sample supply apparatus, mounting plate 42 is positioned atop the surface of base member 14 with detent pin 32 projecting through the bore of collar 44, and the set screw 48 tightened against the said pin.

A wash liquid receptacle 100, of the type disclosed in the copending U.S. application of I. Isreeli et al., Serial No. 284,718, filed May 31, 1 963, and assigned to the assignee hereof, is positioned as shown on base member 42 by panel screw 102 extending therebetween. Briefly de-' scribed, the said receptacle comprises a main body portion 104 which includes liquid inlet and outlet connections 106 and 108 (*FIG. 1), respectively, extending therefrom and in communication with the hollow interior portion 110 thereof. A dam 1 12 extends as shown across said interior portion to insure the availability of a constant supply of wash liquid therein above the said inlet connection 106.

A housing 50 is attached to the mounting plate 42 in any convenient manner and extends upwardly therefrom. The housing includes an internal, vertically extending mounting plate 5 2 (FIG. 2) upon which is mounted as shown a reversible, electric induction motor 54. Drive shaft 56 extends from the motor and a drive gear 58 is fixedly secured thereto in any convenient manner so as to be rotatable therewith.

Driven gears 60 and 62 are rotatably journalled on support shafts 64 and 66, respectively, which shafts are in turn supported from the mounting plate 52 in any convenient manner and extend therefrom at spaced points equidistant from, and above and below, drive gear 58. The driven gears are enmeshed as shown with the said drive gear whereby rotation of the latter will result in oppositely directed rotation of the former. The driven gears include projecting portions 70 and 71 (FIG. 3), re

spectively, extending therefrom toward the mounting plate 52 for purposes described in detail hereinbelow. Limit switches 72 and 74 are positioned as shown adjacent the respective driven gears on the mounting plate 52 by screws 75 extending therebetween and include actuator buttons 76 and 78, respectively, extending therefrom. A stop member 80 is positioned as shown in any convenient manner on the mounting plate 52 and includes a cut-out portion 82 which partially surrounds the drive gear 58, and stops 84 and 66, respectively, projecting therefrom adjacent opposite extremities thereof as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The driven gears, limit switches, and stop memher are so located on the mounting plate that when one driven gear, for example gear 60, is in the depicted position of FIG. 3 wherein the projecting portion 70 thereof abuts the surface of stop 56 to thus effectively prevent further movement of the driven gears in the counterclockwise direction as seen in the said FIG. 3, the projecting port-ion 71 of driven gear 62 will be in actuating abutment with actuator button 78 of limit switch 72. Conversely, when the projecting portion 71 of driven gear 62 is in abutment with the surface of stop 84, as indicated in dashed lines in said figure, to thus effectively prevent further movement of the driven gears in the clockwise direction as seen in the said figure, the projecting portion 70 of driven gear 60 will be in actuating abutment with actuator button 76 of limit switch 74. In the hereinafter preferred embodiment, this arrangement will preferably but not necessarily limit the driven gears to 240 of travel in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

A crook support bar 90 is pivotally attached as best seen in FIG. 1 at opposite extremities thereof to the driven gears adjacent the respective peripheries of the latter by pivot pins 92 and 94, respectively, extending therebetween. A hollow crook 96 is attached as shown to the crook support bar at an intermediate portion thereof in any convenient manner, as for example by silver solder. In use, the polyethylene inlet tube 112 through which samples are supplied by the fluid sample supply apparatus 12 is removed from the crook 20 of the said apparatus, and inserted instead through the crook 96 to extend therethrough and therefrom in the manner best seen in FIG. 1. This may be understood whereby alternating movement of the driven gears 60 and 62 within the 240 limit established by the abutments between the surfaces of stops 84 and 86 of the stop member 80, and the projecting portions 70 and 71 of the said gears, will result in corresponding alternating movement of the bar 90, crook 96 and inlet tube 112, to move the inlet end 114 of the said tube between a first position thereof within the interior of the sample cup 18 at that time indexed int-o position in alignment therewith as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, to a second position thereof within the hollow interior portion 110 of the wash liquid receptacle 100 as best seen in FIG. 2. Since, during continuous operation of the apparatus, reduced pressure conditions are constantly maintained within the said inlet tube by an operatively associated pump in a manner made clear in US. Patent No. 3,098,719 to L. T. Skeggs, the alternate immersion of the said inlet end 114 in the sample cups andwash liquid receptacle and travel therebetween under atmospheric conditions, will result in the supply through the inlet tube 112 of a continuous the switch actuator 122.

Thus may be understood whereby the said control member is pivotally movable about pivot pin 132, from a first position thereof limited by stop 142 in which actuator element 134 abuts switch actuator 122, to a second position thereof limited by stop 140 in which the said actuator element does not abut the said switch actuator.

The remote extremity 129 of the control bar 128 ex tends into the path of travel of the pivotal support post 22 of the sample supply apparatus 12, whereby may be understood that the said control bar will be abutted and moved by the said support post to in turn move the control member from the said first position thereof to the said second positionthereof every time the said pivotal support post is pivotally moved from the position thereof depicted in solid lines in FIG. 4 to the position thereof depicted in dashed lines in the said figure. Return of the said support post to the first-mentioned position thereof and resultant disengagement with control bar 128- will result in the return of the control member to the position thereof depicted in FIG. 5 under the influence of spring 136. Since such pivotal movement of the said support post is controlled by the control mechanism of the sample supply apparatus 12 to occur intermittently in precisely timed sequence relative to the indexing of the sample plate 16, it may be understood whereby the cooperation therewith of control bar 128 makes possible the control through switches 72, 74 and 120 in a manner described in detail hereinbelow, of reversible motor 54 in correspondingly precisely timed sequence relative to the indexing of the said sample plate.

The control circuit of the invention is schematically depicted in FIG. 6, and comprises lines L and L which are connectible, in any convenient manner, to a suitable source for energization of the circuit. The two position switch 120, and the parallel connected forward and reverse windings 182 and 184, respectively, of reversible induction motor 54 are connected as shown in series across the said lines, and limit switches 74 and 72 connected as shown in series therewith through leads 151i, 152, 156, 157, 158 and 160, respectively. Current limiting resistor 178 and phase shifting capacitor 176 are connected in parallel with the said motor windings in lead 154 between stream of blood sample portions, slugs of air, slugs of wash liquid, and slugs of air, arranged in that. order.

A control assembly is generally indicated at 116 in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, and comprises a generally L-shaped bracket 118 which is attached as shown in FIG. 4 in any convenient manner to the base member 42. A two position switch 120, including switch actuator 122 projecting therefrom, is mounted at one extremity of the said bracket by mounting screws 124 extending therebetween. A control member 125 comprising a main body portion 126, and a control bar 128 removably attached thereto as shown by set screw 130, is pivotally mounted on the said bracket by pivot pin 132 extending therebetween, and includes a switch actuator element 134 projecting therefrom adjacent the respective limit switches 72 and 74. Rectifiers 180 are connected as shown across the contacts of the said limit switches and function to provide a direct current braking action on the said motor windings when the respective limit switches associated with the said rectifiers, i.e., limit switches 72 and 74, are open. The direct energization circuit for forward winding 122 may be traced as follows: line L winding 182, lead 158, stationary and movable contacts 162 and 176 of limit switch 74, lead 166, stationary and movable contacts 166 and 174 of two position switch and line L The direct energization circuit for reverse winding 184 may be traced as follows; line L reverse winding 184, lead 156, lead 157, stationary and movable contacts 164 and 172 of limit switch 72, lead 150, stationary and movable contacts 168 and 174 of two position switch 120, and line L The phase shifted energization circuit for forward winding 182, which circuit is completed concurrently with the completion of the direct energization circuit for reverse winding 184, may be traced as follows: line L forward winding 182, lead 158, phase shifting capacitor 176 and current limiting resistor 178 in lead 154, lead 157, stationary and movable contacts 164 and 172-, respectively, of limit switch 72, lead 150, stationary and movable contacts 168 and 174, respectively, of two position switch 120, and line L The phase shifted energization circuit for reverse winding 184, which circuit is completed concurrently with the completion of the direct energization circuit for forward winding 182, may be traced as follows: line L reverse winding 184, lead 156, current limiting resistor 178 and phase shifting capacitor 176 in lead 154, lead 152, stationary and movable contacts 162 and 170, respectively, of limit switch 74, lead 160, stationary and movable contacts 166 and 174, respectively, of two-position switch 120, and line L In the depicted condition of the control circuit, reverse winding 184 of motor 54 would be directly energized, and forward winding 182 of the motor energized through the phase shifting capacitor 176, whereby the driven gears 60 and 62 would be driven by the motor in the clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 1 to move the bar 90, crook 96, and inlet tube 112 supported within. the latter, toward the sample cup 18 just indexed into position in align-v ment therewith by support plate 16. At this point, the support post 22 would be returning to the vertical position thereof as seen in FIG. 4 and is thus not in contact with control bar 128. This movement of the crook and inlet tube toward the said sample cup continues until projection 71 on driven gear 62 abuts actuator 78 of limit switch 72 to thereby open the switch by shifting movable contact 172 away from stationary contact 164. This will result in a stopping of the motor 54 since neither of the windings 182 or 184 thereof will be energized. By this time, however, the inlet end 114 of inlet tube 112 has been immersed within the blood sample contained in the said sample cup, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 4. Concurrently therewith projection 70 of driven gear 60 will abut the surface of stop 86 of stop member Sit-to make further movement of the crook and inlet tube toword the said sample cup impossible. After the expiration of a predetermined period of time, the control mechanism of sample supply apparatus 12 will effect pivotal movement of support post 22 from the vertical position thereof as indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. 4, whereby the said post will abut and move control bar 128 from left to right as seen in the said figure with the result that control member actuator element 134 will be moved away from actuator 122 of switch 120 to thereby shift the movable contact 174 of the said switch into contact with the stationary contact 166 thereof. This will result in direct energization of the forward winding 182, and energization of the reverse winding 184 through the phase shifting capacitor 176, through the said two position switch and the now closed limit switch 74, whereby the inlet tube 112 will be moved out of and away from the support plate positions thereof through the dashed line as seen from right to left in FIG. 4. Thus the inlet end 114 of the said inlet tube will be immersed within the wash liquid contained in hollow interior portion 110 of the wash liquid receptacle 100 as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. At this point, driven gear 60 will have been moved sufficiently, i.e., 240 in the forward or counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 1, to bring the projection 70 thereof into contact with actuator 76 of limit switch 74. This will result in the opening of the said limit switch whereby the supply of energy to the forward and reverse windings 182 and 184 will be discontinued and the motor 54 again stopped accordingly. Concurrently therewith, the projection 71 of driven gear 62 will have moved into abutting relationship with the surface of stop 84 of the stop member 80-to prevent further movement of the crook and inlet tube into the interior of the wash liquid receptacle.

Again, after the expiration of a predetermined period of time, the control mechanism of the sample supply apparatus 12 will function to return support post 22 to the vertical position thereof, as seen in FIG. 4, whereby control bar 128 will be released from contact therewith and control member actuator element 1 34 moved by the action of leaf spring 136 into contact with actuator 122 of two-position switch to one again move the movable contact 174 of the said switch into contact with the stationary contact 168 thereof. This will again result in direct energization of the reverse winding 184, and energization of the forward winding 182 through the phase shifting capacitor 176, through the now closed limit switch 72 whereby the cycle will be repeated. Thus may be understood whereby the herein disclosed apparatus will function to provide through inlet tube 112 a continous stream of blood sample portions, slugs of air, slugs of wash liquid, and slugs of air arranged in that order.

The cover plate 24 for support plate 16 comprises two, rather than one, apertures 36, for purposes of enabling the use of double paddle, sample mixing apparatus of the nature disclosed in US. Patents 3,107,536 or 3,107,- 537, in conjunction with the hereindisclosed apparatus. For such use, the said mixing apparatus would be supported from support post 22 and function to thoroughly mix the blood sample in the sample receptacle 18 indexed into alignment with the crook 96, and the receptacle adjacent thereto in the counterclockwise support plate direction as seen in FIG. 1.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in the form and arrangement of parts and in the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made without departing from the underlying idea or principles of this invention within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for use with liquid-sample supply apparatus which includes a carrier for a series of liquidsample containers, a member movable relative to said carrier in at least first and second directions, means to intermittently move said member and said carrier relative to each other to relatively position said member and said sample containers, and means operable in relation to said intermittent movement for moving said member in said first and second directions relative to said carrier as each of said sample containers is positioned relative thereto; said device comprising a liquid receptacle, a takeoff device movable into and out of said containers and said receptacle, respectively, for Withdrawing the liquid samples from said containers and the liquid from said receptacle, and control means operatively associated with said member and said take-01f device and operable in response to said movement of the former in said first and second directions for moving the latter into and out of said containers and receptacle, respectively, said control means comprising a control member positioned within the path of movement of said member during the movement thereof in said first direction so as to be abutted and moved thereby, and electrical switch means responsive to said movement of the control member to control the operation of said take-off device.

2. A device for use with liquid-sample supply apparatus which includes a carrier for a series of liquidsample containers, a member movable relative to said carrier in at least first and second directions, means to intermittently move said member and said carrier relative to each other to relatively position said member and said sample containers, and means operable in relation to said intermittent movement for moving said member in said first and second directions relative to said carrier as each of said sample containers is positioned relative thereto; said device comprising a liquid. receptacle, a

with said member and said take-off device and operable in response to said movement of the former in said first and second directions for moving the latter into and out of said containers and receptacle, respectively, said control means comprising a control member movable between first and second positions thereof and biased toward said first position, said control member being positioned within the path of movement of said member during the movement of the latter in said first direction so as to be abutted and moved thereby from said first position thereof to said second position thereof, and to be released thereby during movement of said member in said second direction to return under the action of said bias to said first position thereof, and electric switch means responsive to movement of said control member between said first and second positions thereof to control the operation of said takeoff device.

3. A device for use with liquid-sample supply apparatus which includes a carrier for a series of liquidsample containers, a member movable relative to said carrier in at least first and second directions, means to intermittently move said member and said carrier relative to each other to relatively position said member and said sample containers, and means operable in relation to said intermittent movement vfor moving said member in said first and second directions relative to said carrier as each of said sample containers in positioned relative thereto; said device comprising a liquid receptacle, a take-off device movable into and out of said containers and said receptacles, respectively, for withdrawing the liquid samples from said containers and the liquid from said receptacle, and control means operatively associated with said member and said take-off device and operable in response to said movement of the former in said first and second directions for moving the latter into and out of said containers and receptacle, respectively, said control means compriisng a control member positioned within the path of movement of said member during the movement thereof in said first direction so as to be abutted and moved thereby, and electrical switch means responsive to said movement of the control member to control the operation of said take-off device, and second and third electrical switch means cooperatively associated with said take-01f device, with said second electrical switch means responsive to said movement thereof into said containers and operable to limit the extent of such movement, and said third electrical switch means responsive to said movement thereof into said receptacle and operable to limit the extent of such movement.

4. A device for use with liquid-sample supply apparatus which includes a carrier for a series of liquid-sample containers, a member movable relative to said carrier in at least first and second directions, means to intermittently move said member and said carrier relative to each other to relatively position said member and said sample containers, and means operable in relation to said intermittent movement for moving said member in said first and second directions relative to said carrier as each of said sample containers is positioned relative thereto; said device comprising 'a liquid receptacle, a take-off device movable into and out of said containers and said receptacle, respectively, for withdrawing the liquid samples. from said containers and the liquid from said receptacle, and control means. operatively associated with said member and said take-oil? device and operable in response to said movement of the former in said first and second directions for moving the latter into and out of said containers and receptacle, respectively, said control means comprising a control member positioned within the path of movement of said member during the movement thereof in said first direction so as to be abutted and moved thereby, and electrical switch means responsive to said movement of the control member to control the operation of said take-off device, and further electrical switch means and mechanical stop means cooperatively associated with said takeoff device and operable to limit the said movements thereof into said containers and receptacle, respectively.

5. A device for use with liquid-sample supply apparatus which includes a carrier for a series of liquid-sample containers, a member movable relative to said carrier in at least first and second directions, means to intermittently move said member and said carrier relative to each other to relatively position said member and said sample containers, and means operable in relation to said intermittent movement for moving said member in said first and second directions relative to said carrier as each of said sample containers is positioned relative thereto; said device comprising a liquid receptacle, a take-off device movable into and out of said containers and said receptacle, respectively, for withdrawing the liquid samples from said containers and the liquid from said receptacle, and control means operatively associated with said member and said take-off device and operable in response to said movement of the former in said first and second directions for moving the latter into and out of said containers and receptacle, respectively, said control means comprising a control member movable between first and second positions thereof and biased toward said first position, said control member being positioned within the path of movement of said member during the movement of the latter in said first direction so as to be abutted and moved thereby from said first position thereof to said second position thereof, and to be released thereby durthereof into said containers and receptacle, respectively.

6. A device for use with liquid-sample supply apparatus which includes a carrier for aseries of liquid-sample containers, a member movable relative to said carrier in at least first and second directions, means to intermittently move said member and said carrier relative to each other to relatively position said member and said sample containers, and means operable in relation to said intermittent movement for moving said member in said first and second directions relative to said carrier as each of said sample containers is positioned relative thereto; said device comprising a liquid receptacle, a take-off device movable into and out of said containers and said receptacle, respectively, for withdrawing the liquid samples from said containers and the liquid from said receptacle, and control means operatively associated with said member and said take-off device and operable in response to said movement of the former in said first and second directions for moving the latter into and out of said containers and receptacle, respectively, said take-off device comprising a driven gear, means to drive said gear in two directions, a support member pivotally attached thereto so as to be movable therewith, and an intake tube attached to said support member for movement out of said receptacle and into one of said containers when said gear is driven in one direction, and out of said container and into said receptacle when said gear is driven in the other direction.

7. A device for use with liquid-sample supply apparatus which includes a carrier for a series of liquid-sample containers, a member movable relative to said carrier in at least first and second directions, means to intermittently move said member and said carrier relative to each other to relatively position said member and said sample containers, and means operable in relation to said intermittent movement for moving said member in said first and second directions relative to said carrier as each of said sample containers is positioned relative thereto; said a 9 device comprising a liquid receptacle, a take-01f device movable into and out of said containers and said receptacle, respectively, for withdrawing the liquid samples from said containers and the liquid from said receptacle, and control means operatively associated with said member and said take-oif device and operable in response to said movement of the former in said first and second directions for moving the latter into and out of said containers and receptacle, respectively, said take-01f device comprising two gears rotatable in the same direction, electrical means to drive said gears in two directions, a support member pivotally attached to each of said gears so as to be movable therewith, and an intake tube supported from said member for movement out of said receptacle and into one of said containers when said gears are driven in one direction, and out of said container and into said receptacle when said gears are driven in the other direction.

8. A device for use with liquid-sample supply apparatus which includes a carrier for a series of liquid-sample containers, a member movable relative to said carrier in at least first and second directions, means to intermittently move said member and said carrier relative to each other to relatively position said member and said sample containers, and means operable in relation to said intermittent movement for moving said member in said first and second directions relative to said carrier as each of said sample containers is positioned relative thereto; said device comprising a liquid receptacle, a take-off device movable into and out of said containers and said receptacle, respectively, for withdrawing the liquid samples from said containers and the liquid from said receptacle, and control means operatively associated with said member and said take-oflf device and operable in response to said movement of the former in said first and second directions for moving the latter into andout of said containers and receptacle, respectively, said take-01f device comprising a reversible electric motor, first and second gears driven therefrom in the same direction, a bar pivotally attached to each of said gears so as to be movable therewith, a crook supported from said 'bar and an intake tube supported within said crook andextending therefrom, whereby driven rotation of said gears in one direction will result in movement of said intake tube out of said receptacle and into one of said containers, and driven rotation of said gears in the other direction will result in movement of said intake tube from said container to said receptacle.

9. A device for use with liquid-sample supply apparatus which includes a carrier for a series of liquid-sample containers, a member movable relative to said carrier in at least first and second directions, means to intermittently move said member and said carrier relative to each other to relatively position said member and said sample containers, and means operable in relation to said intermittent movement for moving said member in said first and second directions relative to said carrier as each of said sample containers in positioned relative thereto; said device comprising a liquid receptacle, a takeolf device movable into and out of said containers and said receptacle, respectively, for withdrawing the liquid samples from said containers and liquid from said receptacle, and control means operatively associated with said member and said take-off device and operable in response to said movement of the former in said first and second directions for moving the latter into and out of said containers and receptacle, respectively, said take-01f device comprising a driven gear, means to drive said gear in two directions, a support member pivotally attached thereto so as to be movable therewith, and an intake tube attached to said support member for movement out of said receptacle and into one of said containers when said gear is driven in one direction, and out of said container and into said receptacle when said gear is driven in the other direction, said control means comprising a control member positioned Within the path of movement of said member during the movement thereof in said first direction so as to be abutted and moved thereby, and first electrical switch means cooperatively associated with said gear drive means and responsive to said movement of the control member to control the operation of said gear drive means.

10, A device for use with liquid-sample supply apparatus which includes a carrier for a series of liquid-sample containers, a member movable relative to said carrier in at least first and second directions, means to intermittently move said member and said carrier relative to each other to relatively position said member and said sample containers, and means operable in relation to said intermittent movement for moving said member in said first andsecond directionsv relative to said carrier as each of said sample containers is positioned relative thereto; said device comprising a liquid receptacle, a take-01f device movable into and out of said containers and said receptacle, respectively, for drawing the liquid samples from said containers and the liquid from said receptacle, and control means operatively associated with said member-and said take-off device and operable in response to said movement of the former in said first and second directions for moving the latter into and out of said containers and receptacle, respectively, said take-off device comprising two gears rotatable inthe same direction, electrical means to drive said gears in two directions, a support member pivotally attached to'each of said gears so as to be movable therewith, and an intake tube supported from said member for movement out of said receptacle and into one of said containers when said gears are driven in one direction, and out of said container and into said receptacle when said gears are driven in the other direction, said control means comprising a control member positioned within the path of movement of said member during the movement thereof in said first direc tion so as to be abutted and moved thereby, and first electrical switch means cooperatively associated with said gear drive means and responsive to said movement of the control member to control the operation of said gear drive means.

11. A device for use with liquid-sample supply apparatus which includes a carrier for a series of liquidsample containers, a member movable relative to said carrier in at least first and second directions, means to intermittently move said member and said carrier relative to each other to relatively position said member and said sample containers, and means operable in relation to said intermittent movement fior moving said member in said,

first and second directions relative to said carrier as each of said sample containers is positioned relative thereto; said device comprising a liquid receptacle, a take-ofli' device movable into and out of said containers and said receptacle, respectively, for withdrawing .the liquid samples from said containers and the liquid from said receptacle,

and control means operatively associated with said member and said take-otf device and operable in response to said movement of the former in said first and second directions for moving the latter into and out of said containers and receptacle, respectively, said take-off device comprising two gears rotatable in the same direction, electrical means to drive said gears in two directions, a support member pivotally attached to each of said gears so as to be movable therewith, and an intake tube supported from said member for movement out of said receptacle and into one of said containers when said gears are driven in one direction, and out of said container and into said receptacle when said gears are driven in the other direction, said control means comprising a control member movable between first and second positions thereof and biased toward said first position, said control member being positioned within the path of movement of said member during the movement of the latter in said first direction so as to be abutted and moved thereby from said first position thereof to said second position thereof, and to be released thereby during movement of said member in said second direction to return under the action of said bias to said first position thereof, and first electric switch means cooperatively associated with said electrical gear drive means and responsive to movement of said control member between said first and second positions thereof to control the operation of said electrical gear drive means.

1-2. A device for use with liquid-sample supply apparatus which includes a carrier for a series of liquidsample containers, a member movable relative to said carrier in at least first and second directions, means to intermittently move said member and said carrier relative to each other to relatively position said member and said sample containers, and means operable in relation to said intermittent movement for moving said member in said first and second directions relative to said carrier as each of said sample containers is positioned relative thereto; said device comprising a liquid receptacle, a take-01f device movable into and out of said containers and said receptacle, respectively, for withdrawing the liquid samples from said containers and the liquid from said receptacle, and control means operatively associated with said member and said take-off device and operable in response to said movement of the former in said first and second directions for moving the latter into and out of said containers and receptacle, respectively, said take-off device comprising two gears rotatable in the same direction, electrical means to drive said gears in two directions, a support member pivotally attached to each of said gears so as to be movable therewith, and an intake tube supported from said member for movement out of said receptacle and into one of said containers when said gears are driven in one direction, and out-of said container and into said receptacle when said gears are driven in the other direction, said control means comprising a control member movable between first and second positions thereof and biased toward said first position, said control member being positioned within the path of movement of said member during the movement of the latter in said first direction so as to be abutted and moved thereby from said first positionthereof to said second position thereof, and to be released thereby during movement of said member in said second direction to return under the action of said bias to said first position thereof, and first electric switch means cooperatively associated with said electrical gear drive means and responsive to movement of said control member between said first and second positions thereof to control the operation of said electrical gear drive means, and second and third electrical switch means cooperatively associated with said take-off device, with said second electrical switch means responsive to said movement thereof into saidcontainers and operable to limit the extent of such movement, and said third electrical switch means responsive to said movement thereof into said receptacle and operable to limit the extent of such movement.

13. A device for use with liquid-sample supply apparatus which includes a carrier for a series of liquid-sample containers, a member movable relative to said carrier in at least first and second directions, means to intermittently move said member and said carrier relative to each other to relatively position said member and said sample containers, and means operable in relation to said intermittent movement for moving said member in said first and second directions relative to said carrier as each of said sample containers is positioned relative thereto; said device comprising a liquid receptacle, a take-ofi device movable into and out of said containers and said receptacle, respectively, for withdrawing the liquid samples from said containers and the liquid from said receptacle, and control means operatively associated with said merriher and said take-01f device and operable in response to said movement of the former in said first and second directions for moving the latter into and out of said containers and receptacle, respectively, said take-off device comprising two gears rotatable in the same direction, electrical means to drive said gears in two directions, a support member pivotally attached to each of said gears so as to be movable therewith, and an intake tu be supported from said member for movement out of said receptacle and into one of said containers when said gears are driven in one direction, and out of said container and into said receptacle when said gears are driven in the other direction, said control means comprising a control member positioned within the path of movement of said member during the movement thereof in said first direction so as to be abutted and moved thereby, and first electrical switch means cooperatively associated with said gear drive means responsive to said movement of the control member to control the operation of said gear drive means, said gears including portions projecting therefrom, and said control means further comprising second and third electrical switch means cooperatively associated respectively with said projecting portions and with said electrical gear drive means, with said second electrical switch means responsive to movement of one of said portions corresponding to movement of said intake tube into said containers and operable to limit the extent of such movement, and said third electrical switch means being responsive to movement of the other of said portions corresponding to movement of said intake tube into said receptacle and operable to limit the extent of such movement.

14. A device for use with liquid-sample supply apparatus which includes a carrier for a series of liquid-sample containers, a member movable relative to said carrier in at least first and second directions, means to intermittently move said member and said carrier relative to each other to relatively position said member and said sample containers, and means operable in relation to said intermittent movement for moving said member in said first and second directions relative to said carrier as each of said sample containers is positioned relative thereto; said device comprising a liquid receptacle, a take-0E device movable into and out of said containers and said receptacle, respectively, for withdrawing the liquid samples from said containers and the liquid from said receptacle, and control means operatively associated with said member and said take-off device and operable in response to said movement of the former in said first and second directions for moving the latter into and out of said containers and receptacle, respectively, said take-01f device comprising two gears rotatable in the same direction, electrical means to drive said gears in two directions, a support member pivotally attached to each of said gears so as to be movable therewith, and an intake tube supported from said member for movement out of said receptacle and into one of said containers when said gears are driven in one direction, and out of said container and into said receptacle when said gears are driven in the other direction, said control means comprising a control member positioned within the path of movement of said member during the movement thereof in said first direction so as to be abutted and moved thereby, and first electrical switch means cooperatively associated with said .gear drive means responsive to said movement of the control member to control the operation of said gear drive means, said gears including portions projecting therefrom, and said control means further comprising second and third electrical switch means cooperatively associated respectively with said projecting portions and with said electrical gear drive means, with said second electrical switch means responsive to movement of one of said portions corresponding to movement of said intake tube into said containers and operable to limit the ex- 13 1 4 tent of such movement, and said third electrical switch References Cited by the Examiner meansbeing responsive to movement of the other of said: UNITED STATES PATENTS portions corresponding to movement of said intake tube into said receptacle and operable to limit the extent of such movement, and mechanical stop means cooperative- 5 5/1964 De Jong 73.423 ly associated with said pro ecting gear port ons to further LOUIS R. PRINCE, Primary Examiner.

hunt the movements of said mtake tube into said containers and receptacle, respectively. S. CLEMENT SWISHER, Assistant Examzner.

3,127,773 4/1964 Blumenfield 7 34|23 

1. A DEVICE FOR USE WITH LIQUID-SAMPLE SUPPLY APPARATUS WHICH INCLUDES A CARRIER FOR A SERIES OF LIQUIDSAMPLE CONTAINERS, A MEMBER MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID CARRIER IN AT LEAST FIRST AND SECOND DIRECTIONS, MEANS TO INTERMITTENTLY MOVE SAID MEMBER AND SAID CARRIER RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER TO RELATIVELY POSITION SAID MEMBER AND SAID SAMPLE CONTAINERS, AND MEANS OPERABLE IN RELATION TO SAID INTERMITTENT MOVEMENT FOR MOVING SAID MEMBER IN SAID FIRST AND SECOND DIRECTIONS RELATIVE TO SAID CARRIER AS EACH OF SAID SAMPLE CONTAINERS IS POSITIONED RELATIVE THERETO; SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A LIQUID RECEPTACLE, A TAKEOFF DEVICE MOVABLE INTO AND OUT OF SAID CONTAINERS AND SAID RECEPTACLE, RESPECTIVELY, FOR WITHDRAWING THE LIQUID SAMPLES FROM SAID CONTAINERS AND THE LIQUID FROM SAID RECEPTACLE, AND CONTROL MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID MEMBER AND SAID TAKE-OFF DEVICE AND OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO SAID MOVEMENT OF THE FORMER IN SAID FIRST AND SECOND DIRECTIONS FOR MOVING THE LATTER INTO AND OUT OF SAID CONTAINERS AND RECEPTACLE, RESPECTIVELY, SAID CONTROL MEANS COMPRISING A CONTROL MEMBER POSITIONED WITHIN THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID MEMBER DURING THE MOVEMENT THEREOF IN SAID FIRST DIRECTION SO AS TO BE ABUTTED AND MOVED THEREBY, AND ELECTRICAL SWITCH MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SAID MOVEMENT OF THE CONTROL MEMBER TO CONTROL THE OPERATION OF SAID TAKE-OFF DEVICE. 